Turning Ideas into Impact: My First Year Success at the UF Innovation Academy

Ever since I was a kid, I knew one thing for certain: I wanted to be a Gator. So when senior year rolled around and I saw that little checkbox on the University of Florida application for the Innovation Academy, something clicked. A program focused on creativity, entrepreneurship, and design thinking? Yes, please! I signed up without hesitation, not fully knowing what I was getting into, but excited for the challenge ahead. And wow, what a journey it’s been.

My very first class, IDS1940: Innovation in Action, was the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed. It didn’t feel like a typical lecture; it felt more like diving headfirst into the world of innovation. We weren’t just studying concepts; we were living them. Every week brought a new challenge, often with tight deadlines and high expectations. Whether working solo or in teams, we had to problem-solve like real-world innovators.

The assignments were tough at first because they consisted of Adobe Illustrator, Fusion 360, and Arduino kits. All these tools sounded intimidating at first (spoiler: I had zero experience with any of them). But step by step, tutorial by tutorial, I slowly began to build not just my technical skills but also my confidence. I learned to stop panicking over the big picture and instead take things one step at a time. And before I knew it, those tools became second nature and ones I now see as essential to my creative journey. The end of the class was approaching, and so did one of the most exciting moments of my first year.

Out of the entire IDS1940 class, my team was one of just six chosen to compete in the First-Year Innovation Pitch Competition. Cue the nerves, excitement, and coffee! We partnered with the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention and tackled the challenge of creating an interactive badge system that could spark curiosity and innovation among visitors. We came up with the Cade Buck Factory, a fun, gamified experience that merged learning and play. After weeks of late nights, design thinking sessions, and team bonding, we pitched our project… and we won! It was a surreal moment and a true reminder of what’s possible when creativity meets teamwork. But the story doesn’t stop there.

This summer, I had the honor of competing in the UF Innovation Academy Catalyst Showcase. It was five intense weeks with 35 powerhouse teams, all focused on one massive design question:

“How might we create a dynamic pedestrian roundabout in Tech Town that invites exploration and innovation?”

Our team, Isabella Lanza, Ellie Gómez Tovar, David Mendoza, Grecia Perazzo, and I went all in. We didn’t just want to solve a problem; we wanted to fall in love with it. And from that passion came San Felasco QuestPark, a bold, interactive concept designed to engage the community in a whole new way. Our vision earned us the Judges’ Choice Award, and I’m beyond grateful to the UF Innovation Academy and Mitch Glazer for sponsoring the $1,250 prize. More than the award, it was the process of the sprint, the creativity, and the collaboration that made this experience unforgettable.

Winning first place in both major first-year competitions wasn’t just a goal I achieved, it was a dream I didn’t even realize I had until I was living it. And while I’m incredibly proud of these wins, I’m even more excited about where this path is leading me. As I look ahead, my goal is to work in the advertising industry, using everything I’ve learned of design thinking, creative problem-solving, and storytelling to make bold, meaningful campaigns.

None of this would have been possible without the Innovation Academy. It’s more than just a program; it’s a community, a mindset, and a launchpad. I’m so thankful for the friends, professors, and moments that have shaped my first year; this is only the beginning.